Bully (2001)

A pack of naïve teenagers conspire to murder a mutual friend, whose aggressive demeanor has proved too much.

Director:

Larry Clark

Writers:

Jim Schutze (book), David McKenna (screenplay) (as Zachary Long)

Stars:

Brad Renfro, Nick Stahl, Bijou Phillips

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brad Renfro	...	Marty Puccio
Bijou Phillips	...	Ali Willis
Rachel Miner	...	Lisa Connelly
Nick Stahl	...	Bobby Kent
Michael Pitt	...	Donny Semenec
Leo Fitzpatrick	...	The Hitman
Kelli Garner	...	Heather Swallers
Daniel Franzese	...	Cousin Derek
Nathalie Paulding	...	Claudia
Jessica Sutta	...	Blonde
Ed Amatrudo	...	Mr. Kent (as Edward Amatrudo)
Steve Raulerson	...	Mr. Willis (as Steven Raulerson)
Judy Clayton	...	Mrs. Willis (as Judith Clayton)
Alan Lilly	...	Mr. Puccio
Irene B. Colletti	...	Mrs. Puccio

Storyline

After finding himself at the constant abuse of his best friend, Bobby, Marty has become fed up with his friend's twisted ways. His girlfriend, a victim of Bobby's often cruel ways, couldn't agree more and they strategize murdering Bobby, with a group of willing and unwilling participants in a small Florida town. In the midst of their plotting, they find themselves contemplating with the possible aftermath of what could happen.

---

Plot Keywords:

cruelty | nudity | pubic hair | date rape | bully | 

---

Taglines:

It's 4 a.m... do you know where your kids are?

---

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, drug use and language - all involving teens

Details

Country:

USA France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Bully - Diese Kids schockten Amerika

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,502, 15 July 2001

Gross USA:

$480,811

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$704,808

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Lions Gate Films, Muse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 113 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer David McKenna removed his name from the project. He was credited as 'Zachary Long'.

---

Goofs

On the back of the Region 1 DVD, it incorrectly says 'Theatrical Version', even though it is the director's cut.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Marty: [on the phone with a customer] I want you to suck my big dick.
Mrs. Puccio: [from downstairs] Marty, honey, dinner!
Marty: [into the phone] I want you to lick my balls.

---

Crazy Credits

While this Picture is based upon the book "Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge" written by Jim Schutze, some of the characters and persons have been composited, invented and recreated and a number of incidents have been fictionalized, emphasized and exaggerated for dramatic effect.

---

Alternate Versions

The scenes that were cut from the R-rated version include:

• A sex scene with Ali (Bijou Phillips) and Donny (Michael Pitt). Ali pours hot wax on Michael's chest. (at 23:15 through 24:37 seconds)
• A brief shot of Ali's vagina when you see her panties scrunched up (at 35:56 through 35:59 seconds) There are included in the Region 1 DVD from Lionsgate Entertainment.

---

Connections

References South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

---

Soundtracks

Cetch da Monkey
Performed by Atomic Babies
Written by J. Natoli & P. Messinetti
Additional Remix and Productions by DJ Dan
Courtesy of Brooklyn Music Ltd. and Media Creature Music
Published by R.R. Love, Ltd. (ASCAP)

User Reviews

I had a nightmare about this film

I loved the way Kid's presented itself when it was first released, if I had it my way then that film would be shown to all the kids in high school's all over the world because the reality of what is going on in each character really hits home when watching this and I think it might make a lot of young kids think before what they do. Anyway that was my introduction to Larry Clark and the amazing Leo Fitzpatrick and when I had heard not long ago that these two got together and made another harrowing teen film called Bully I just had to watch it but apart of me wishes I didn't watch it because I scared me in a way because of how real it was. Leo Fitzpatrick is not the lead star in this one though, this one is left to Brad Renfro (Marty) and Nick Stahl (Bobby) who are two best friends who live in world where they sell phone sex for gay people and make homosexual films to sell to porn shops, just you're average teenager of course, but Bobby is a dominating friend towards Marty and Marty just breaks and decides with his vulnerable girlfriend that they should kill Bobby so he won't be a problem in their lives, from there we are taken into this dark tale of teenage revenge. There is a big build to what happens in this film and that's what makes it harrowing viewing because you just don't know what is going to happen. But by the time the film had ended I straight away bombarded the internet with information about the real happening of what actually went on.

Overall this is Larry Clark's best work to date and it opens you up to a whole new world of talented actors and a director that should be praised more about his work. This is not the sort of film that finishes and you go on with what you are doing, it will stay in your head for a while and will leave wanting more in way because you really feel that you want the film to go on a bit longer to know more about these fascinating characters.